Brian and Sean serve as high-impact volunteers who live on-site at two of our permanent, supportive housing campuses. They provide additional, on-location support, security, and mentorship to families and individuals who have exited homelessness and are rebuilding their lives. They’ve become pillars in our communities, putting their love into action through sharing resources and their own stories of transformation to mentor and uplift others. Brian took the time to share with us a little about his and Sean’s experience and journey to the Mission. Keep reading to hear what he had to say…
I believe in divine appointments and this was one of them. I showed up at the Mission to volunteer with a group of high schoolers I was mentoring. By accident, a staff member mistook us for a group that didn’t show up that day and took us on a tour. That inspired us to begin volunteering monthly with a growing crew of high schoolers. After a couple years, the Mission reached out to me with a high-impact volunteer opportunity — to live at one of their campuses and provide on-site support.
I said no four times but, when I finally toured the campus, it wasn’t what I imagined at all. The homes were beautiful. It was so welcoming and it felt safe for my kids. I met the residents, every single person was so kind and full of stories. That moment flipped everything for me. Eventually, I said yes. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This campus is home for me and my kids. These residents are my family now.
After I moved in, the Mission asked if I could recommend someone for a similar position at another campus. I messaged some friends and, again by “accident,” Sean happened to see the message on our mutual friend’s Facebook and reached out to me. It’s crazy because Sean turned out to be the perfect fit and to think he could have never seen that message at all. But, I know none of it was an accident. We are here on purpose, for a purpose.
Sean and I, we weren’t supposed to end up here. If you looked at our past, you wouldn’t believe it. I was the kid they said wouldn’t make it. I’d be dead or in jail. And, I believed them. I had no guidance. Just wild and fighting everybody. I thought that’s what it meant to be a man. I ended up in prison like they said I would. But when I got out at 20 years old, the right people showed up in my life. They didn’t just talk at me or down to me. They stayed and walked with me. It wasn’t random. God was working the whole time, placing the right people at the right moments — like Sean.
That’s my brother right there. Now I want to be that presence for others, especially the youth. I always say, “how you start isn’t how you have to finish.” Every kid I meet, I want them to know that. What we do now isn’t just volunteer work, it’s family work. When I moved in, I brought my people, my kids, my mom (who comes weekly for crafting nights), my friends, my non-profit that mentors youth. We didn’t just plug in, we planted roots. I’ve hosted Thanksgiving dinners. Cooked full meals (with Mom coaching me through FaceTime). Sean hosts Seahawks watch parties. Folks who wouldn’t say a word started watching games and walking in community.
We break bread. We walk the neighborhood. Ride bikes. It’s about presence over performance for us. The biggest thing we’ve learned is that every story matters. Especially the ones we were once ashamed of. Those are now the reason we’re able to connect so deeply to community we serve. We’ve been called a menace to society. Told we wouldn’t be anything. And now? We’re community leaders and award recipients, mentors and certified peer counselors. We’ve brought healing into places that once held pain. We’ve seen kids come out of their shell, step into leadership, share their story on the news. We’ve seen shy teens turn into powerful peer mentors. So, to anyone out there wondering if you’re qualified to serve — wondering if your story is too messy or your past too broken, please hear us: “You matter. Your story matters. And someone is waiting on you to show up. Just like we did.”
